During the Made in Africa (MIA) Establishments launch in Gulu City, Gen. Salim Saleh, the Chief Coordinator of Operation Wealth Creation (OWC), delivered a powerful message urging Northern Uganda to take charge of its economic destiny through industrial development and land allocation.

“It is possible for you people to allocate land for industrial development without complications,” Gen. Saleh stated. “Gulu City will not attract investors unless you put land there.”

He emphasized that land remains the foundation of production and warned that unless it is freed from distortions and conflicts, Uganda’s industrial transformation will stall.

Kapeeka Industrial Park: The Model for Success

Drawing lessons from his experience at the Namunkekera–Kapeeka Industrial Park, Gen. Saleh described how strategic partnerships and patience with investors transformed a previously idle piece of land into a thriving hub.

“We gave it to them for one dollar. People said Saleh had gone mad,” he recalled. “But today, that land has 30 factories and employs over 7,000 Ugandans.”

The Kapeeka model, he said, demonstrates how government, local communities, and foreign investors — particularly from China — can work together to achieve tangible industrial results.

Addressing Local Government Challenges

Gen. Saleh did not shy away from highlighting the disconnect between local governments and the private sector, particularly in Northern Uganda.
He expressed concern that commercial officers supervise idle machines and that the mindset toward private sector collaboration remains “hostile.”

“All the local governments are hostile to investors,” he said. “We need to have a discussion and reach consensus on what the real problem is.”

He challenged leaders to transform this attitude to attract more investors and ensure that government-funded programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) deliver results.

The Future: From Gulu to the Region

Gen. Saleh expressed optimism that Gulu City could become “the future Dubai” of Uganda if the people embrace industrialization with the same energy shown in Kapeeka.

He linked this to his long-standing vision under Operation Wealth Creation, which has successfully reduced the number of Ugandans outside the money economy from 68% to 39% in a decade.

“You have the land, you have the PDM money, and you have the investors — now make it work,” he emphasized.

A Message of Hope and Responsibility

In closing, Gen. Saleh reminded the audience that while government and investors can provide opportunities, it is the people themselves who must take initiative to build a self-sustaining economy.

“General is doing his part — it will be meaningless if we don’t use and learn from it,” added Rtd. Maj. Gen. Charles Otema Awany in support of Saleh’s remarks.

Gen. Saleh’s message to Gulu and the wider Northern region was clear — industrialization is not a distant dream; it’s a responsibility within reach.